Control switch actuating means



EbQ123, 1955 Filed May 25', 1195.1

Fig. 7.

I l24-J -2 1, l I k se i 1 WITNESSES 2 Shets-Sheei Fl RELEASED DEPRESSED INVENTOR John H. Mullen ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1965 CONTROL SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS Filed May 25, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

J. H. MULLEN 3,170,995

United States Patent Oflice 3,170,995 CONTROL SWITCH ACTUATING MEANS John H. Mullen, Brighton Township, Beaver County, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 23, 1961, Ser. No. 112,066 8 Claims. (Cl. 200-4) This invention relates generally to control switches and more particularly to control switches of the type having two or more reciprocable contact operating members.

For the control of certain motor circuits it is desirable to have a switch comprising at least two reciprocable contact operating members and means for selectively moving the operating members to either momentary or maintained positions.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved switch of the type that comprises a rotatable selector structure and a reciprocable push-button structure for operating a plurality of reciprocable contact operating members.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved switch of the above-mentioned type with means for permitting depression of the push-button structure only when the selector structure is in one or more desired positions.

A more general object of this invention is to provide an improved electrical control switch.

Other objects of the invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away, of a control switch embodying principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view, in section, taken substantially along line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of part of the rotatable selector structure seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the selector structure seen in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cam member of the selector structure seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cam development of the cam member seen in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the push-button structure seen in FIG. 2 and looking from right to left with respect to the position of the structure in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a control system utilizing the control switch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and,

FIG. 9 is a table representing the operating positions of the contacts controlled by the control switch seen in FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a control switch indicated generally at 1 comprises an actuating unit 2 and a switch unit 4. The actuating unit 2 includes a tubular support sleeve or member 6, preferably of a cast metal and having a flange 8 on the inner end thereof. Sealing gaskets 10 composed of any desirable sealing material, such as rubber, are interposed between the flange 8 and the inner surface of a supporting panel 12.

A portion of the support member 6 is threaded for receiving a clamping ring 14 which is adapted to secure the support member to the panel 12 when the clamping ring is. drawn down tightly. A name plate 16 having an extended portion is provided between the clamping ring 14 and the panel 12. Theplate 16 may carry suitable indicia for proper identification of the switch and for indicating the. operating positionsqofthe switch. 1

3,l70,95 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 The support member 6 of the switch actuating unit 2 has a transversely extending web 18 having a central opening therein for receiving shaft portions or members 20 and 22 of a rotatable actuating or selector structure 24 and a reciprocable push-button structure 26, respectively. The selector structure 24 comprises a knob or handle portion 28, the tubular member 20 and a cam member indicated generally at 30 that is rigidly attached to the inner end of the tubular member 20. The rotatable selector structure 24 is of a tubular construction and the pushbutton structure 26 is disposed substantially within the tubular selector structure 24. The push-button structure 26 comprises a push-button 32, the shaft member 22 and a push-button plate 34 that is rigidly attached to the inner end of the member 22. A spring 36 is disposed between the inner side of the handle portion 28 of the selector structure 24 and a spring support 38 that is supported on the web portion 18 of the support member 6. The spring 36 biases the spring support 38 downward supporting a gasket 40 between the spring support 38 and the web portion 18 of the mounting member 6 to provide a seal to prevent the passage of oil or other foreign matter into the switch unit portion 4 of the control switch. A compression-spring 42 is disposed between the inner side of the push-button 32 and a spring support 44 that is disposed on top of a gasket 46. The spring 42 biases the push-button structure 26 outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1, and it also compresses the gasket 46 to prevent the passage of oil or other foreign matter into the switch unit 4.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the selector structure 24 cannot be depressed because of engagement of the handle portion 28 with a ledge 48 on the mounting sleeve 6 and it cannot move outwardly because of engagement of the cam member 30 with the support member 6. The selector structure 24, however, is supported for rotational movement, the limits of which movement are determined by engagement of a projection 50 on the selector structure with two stop portions 52 (only one being shown in FIG. 2) on the mounting sleeve 6.

Rotation of the push-button structure 26 is prevented by means of a stop pin 54 (FIG. 2) that is rigidly attached to the mounting sleeve 6 and that passes through an opening 56 in the push-button plate 34 and through an opening 58 in the cam member 30. The opening 56 in the pushbutton plate 34 is just large enough for the pin member 54 to pass therethrough so that rotation of the push-button structure 26 is prevented by engagement of the plate 34 with the pin 54. As can be seen in FIG. 5, however, the opening 58 in the cam member 30 is so shaped as to permit rotational movement of the selector structure 24.

As seen in FIG. 2, a spring 62 is disposed in a slot 64 in the support member 6. The spring 62 biases a small metallic ball 66 (FIG. 2) upward to alternately engage in two notches 68 (FIGS. 24) to indicate when the selector structure 24 reaches its operating positions.

The switch unit 4 (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises an insulating housing 73 which includes two housings 74 and 75 that are secured to the mounting sleeve 6 by means of screws 76. Two bridging contact members 78 and 80 are movably supported within the insulating housing 73. The bridging contact member 78 is supported within an opening 82 (FIG. 1) in a reciprocable operating member 84 which member 84 is biased'to the upper position shown in FIG. 1 by means of a spring 86. A spring 88 is supported within the opening 82 of the reciprocable operating member 84 to allow movement of the member 84 relative to the bridging contact member 78 when the member 84 is depressed to'a position wherein two contacts 92 on the contact member 78 engage stationary contacts 94. This relative movement protects the bridging contact member 78 from being distorted during operation of the switch. Each of the stationary contacts 94 is supported on a conductor 96. Terminals 98 are provided at the outer ends of the conductors 96 to permit connection of the conductors in an electrical circuit.

The bridging contact member 80 (FIG. 2 is supported in a reciprocable operating member 9S,that is similar in construction to the operating member 84. The bridging contact member 80 is resiliently supported in an opening 100 in the operating member 98 by. means of a spring member 102. The operating member. 98 is biased upward to the open position shown in FIG. 2 by means of a compression spring 104; The contacts 106 (only one being shown in FIG. 2) of the bridging contact member 80 engage stationary contacts 108 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) that are supported on conductingstrips 110 that have terminals (not shown) at their outer ends similar to the terminals 98 shown in FIG 1 Although only the parts associated. with the bridging contact member 78 are shown clearly in FIG. 1 it is to be understood that the parts associated with the bridging contact members 78 and 80 (FIG. 2) are similar in construction and operation.

7 Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown therein a schematic cam development of the cam member and the relative positions of the operating members 84 and 98 when the actuating structure 24 (FIG. 2) is rotated between the two operative positions of this structure. As shown in FIG. 6 the cam member 30 has an upper elongated generally horizontal cam surface 116, a lower gen erally horizontal cam surface 118 and a slanting cam surface 120, The letters L and R on the operating members 84 and 98 represent the positions of the operating members when the actuating structure 24 is rotated to the left and right positions, respectively, the direction of these positions being determined by looking down on the switch 1 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The parts of the switch 1 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the selector structure 24 in the left operating position. When the parts are in this position, as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the reciprocable operating members 84 and 98 are in their upper positions in which positions all of the contacts of the switch are open. When the parts are in this position, upon depression of the pushbutton structure 26 (FIG. 2) against the bias of the spring 42, the push-button plate 34 will engageand move the operating members 84 and 98 down to positions in which the contatcs 9 2 and 186 of the bridging contact members 78 and 80 engage the stationary contacts 94 and 108, to electrically connect the conducting strips 96 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and also the conducting strips 110, only one of whichis shown in' FIG. 2. This type of contact is known in the art as a momentary contact since, upon release of the push-button structure 26, the pushbutton structure 26 will be returned to the upper position by means of the spring 42, and the reciproca'ole operating members 84 and 98 will be returned to their upper positions by means of the springs 86 and 104 to open the contacts controlled by these bridging contact members. d s

In order to depress the operating member 84 to a maintained contact position, the selector structure 24 is rotated, from the position seen in FIG. 2, to the right whereupon the cam surface120 of the cam member 30 engages the operating member 84 and cams this memher down to a position wherein the lower horizontal cam surface 118 engages the member 84. Thereafter, upon release of the selector structure, the selector structure will be maintained in the right position and the operating member 84 will be maintained in the depressed position maintaining the circuit through the conductor strips 96 (FIG. 1). When the selector structure is in the right position, the operating member 98 can be depressed to the momentary closed position by operation of the pushbutton 26 in the same manner previously described. When it is desired to effect return of the parts back to the position shown in FIG. 1 the selector structure 24 is rotated back to the left position whereupon the spring 86 biases the operating member 84 back up against the upper horizontal cam surface 116.

As will be hereinafter more specifically described, it is advantageous to permit depression of the push-button structure 26 only when the selector structure 24 is in one of the two operating positions. This is effected by means of a projection 124 (FIG. 7) on thepush-button structure 26 which projection engages a shoulder 126 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) on the selector structure 24 when the selector structure is not in either the left or the right position. When the selector structure 24 is rotated to either the left or the right position, the projection 124 (FIG. 7) is disposed just over one of two slots 128 or 130 (FIG. 4) in are shoulder 126 permitting depression of the push-button structure 26 during which motion the propjection 124 will pass down into one of the slots 128 or 130. n p s As was hereinbefore described, the slot 58 (FIGS Z and 5) in the cam member 30, which slot receives the stationarily supported pin 54 (FIG. 2), is elongated to permit rotating movement of the selector structure 24, whereas the opening 56 (FIG. 2) in the push-button plate 34 is just large'enough to permit the stationary pin 54 to pass therethrough to prevent rotation of the push-button structure 26. Thus, the position of the projection 124 (FIG. 7) with respect to the slots 128 and 130 (FIG. 4) is determined by rotation of the selector structure 24.

A diagrammatic view showing the control switch 1 connected between two line conductors L1 and L8 is shown in FIG. 8. be connected in a circuit to control the operation .of a relay R for controlling an electrical motor (not shown). The parts of the switch unit 1 (FIG. 8) arein the open position as shown also in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position, the selector structure 24 is in the left position and the push-button structure 26 is in the upper or released position. If it is desired to inch (i.e. momentarily run) the motor controlled by the switch 1, the push-button structure 26 is depressed closing the bridging contact members '78 and 80. Closing of the bridging contact member closes a circuit from L1, through a stop push-button member S, L2, L3, bridging contact member 80, L5, a relay coil RC and the conducting line L8. When this circuit closes, therelay R picks up closing the bridging contactmember RA, so that with the depression of the operating member 84 and closing of the bridging contact member 78, a circuit is also made through the line L4, bridging contact member 78, L7, bridging contact member RA, L6, coil RC and L8. It

is not necessary for this inching operation that the last mentioned circuit be closed. Thus, an inching circuit could be made even if the push-button plate 34 were so shaped that it would engage only the operating member 98 and not the operating member 84, whereby only the bridging contact member 80 would be closed upon depression of the push-button structure 26. Upon release by the operator of the push-button member 26, the contacts will open in the same manner previously described, to the position shown in FIG. 8 opening the circuit and stopping the running of the motor.

With the parts in the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, ifit is deisred to start a run circuit, the rotatable selector structure 24 is rotated to the right whereupon the cam member 30 operates to depress the operating member 84 and close the bridging contact member 78 in a maintained contact position. With the selector structure in the right position and the push-button still not depressed, the bridging contact member 78 is closed and the bridging contact member '80 is still open sothat a circuit is still not made through L1-L8 and an additional operation must be performed in order to start and run the motor. This additional operation comprises pressing the push-button structure 26 downward moving the operating member 98 down and closing the contacts operated by the bridging contact member 80,

The line conductors L1 and L8 can' Upon closing the bridging contact member 80, a circuit is made from L1 through the relay R and L8 in the same manner previously described picking up the relay and closing the relay bridging contact member RA, so that upon release of the push-button structure 26 and return of the push-button structure and bridging contact member 80 to the upper or open position, a circuit is still maintained from L1 through the stop member S, L2, L4, bridging contact member 78, L7, bridging contact member RA, L6, relay coil RC and L8. Thus, when the push-button member 26 is released, the relay is maintained in its picked-up position and the circuit L1L8 remains closed running the motor controlled by the circuit. When it is desired to then stop the motor, the stop pushbutton S, which is a separate push-button, is depressed opening the circuit Ll-LS, and dropping the relay con tact member RA to the open position shown in FIG. 8.

An example of the utility of preventing depression of the push-button structure 26 unless the selector structure 24 is in the proper position, can be understood by considering the positions of the bridging contact members 78 and 80 as seen in the table in FIG. 9. Assume, for example, that an operator, thinking that he rotated the selector structure to the right position, actually released the selector structure before it attained the full right position and before the bridging contact member 78 reached the closed position. If the operator would thereafter attempt to depress the push-button structure 26 to start a run circuit, the projection 124 (FIG. 7) would engage the shoulder 126 (FIG. 4) preventing depression of the push-button structure and alerting the operator to the fact that the selector structure was improperly positioned. If, however, the switch 1 were not provided with the means to prevent depression of the push-button structure unless the selector structure were properly positioned, the operator in the above example could depress the pushbutton thinking that he would be starting a run circuit when, in fact, he would be merely inching the motor, and upon release of the push-button structure 26, the motor would stop. Thus, for example, if the motor were part of an assembly line and if it were critical that a run circuit be started when the operator intends to start a run circuit, stopping of the motor upon release of the push-button structure could cause confusion and damage along the assembly line. With the provision or" the means permitting reciprocation of the push-button structure 26 only when the selector structure 24 is properly positioned, the above-mentioned type of false operation will not occur.

It will be understood that the cam member 30 can have a variety of different cam surfaces thereon to provide for a variety of different operations of either one or both of the operating members 84 and 98, and that the selector structure 24 can have more than one notch 128, 130 therein to provide additional operative positions in which the push-button structure 26 can be depressed.

For some applications, it may be desirable to prevent depression of the push-button structure 26 even when the selector structure is operatively positioned to maintain one or more of the operating members in a maintained operating position. The switch can also be adapted so that the bridging contact members '78, 80 are either normally open or normally closed. Moreover, the switch can be adapted so that each of the operating members 84 and 98 controls a plurality of bridging contact members. The wide variety of adaptations and operations of the novel switch structure of this invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention provides an improved, compactly constructed control switch comprising a rotating selector structure rotatable to maintain one or more reciprocable switch operating members in a closed contact or open contact position, and a spring return push-button structure that is reciprocable to effect a momentary closure or opening of the contacts controlled by one or more of the operating members. The invention provides means for permitting operation of the push-button structure only when the selector structure is in one or more predetermined operating positions.

Since various changes may be made in the above-described construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a switch actuating unit for operating a plurality of reciprocable switch operating members, a rotatable se lector structure, means operating upon rotation of said selector structure to operatively move at least one of said operating members, a rectilinearly reciprocable push-button structure, means operating upon operative rectilinear movement of said push-button structure to operatively move at least one of said operating members, and means preventing operative rectilinear movement of said pushbutton structure except when said selector structure is in one or more predetermined positions.

2. In a switch actuating unit for reciprocably operating a plurality of switch operating members, stationary support means, a tubular selector structure rotatably supported on said support means, cam means operating upon rotation of said selector structure to operate at least one of said operating members, a push-button structure supported for rectilinear reciprocal movement primarily within said tubular structure, means operating upon rectilinear movement of said push-button structure to operate at least one of said operating members, and means preventing rectilinear movement of said push-button structure except when said selector structure is in one or more predetermined operating positions.

3. In a switch actuating unit for operatively moving a plurality of reciprocable switch operating members, stationary support means, a tubular selector member rotatably supported on said support means, means preventing rectilinear movement of said tubular selector member, a push-button member supported for rectilinear reciprocal movement primarily within said tubular selector member, means preventing rotational movement of said push-button member, a cam member rigidly attached to said tubular selector member and rotatable upon operative rotation of said tubular selector member to operatively move at least one of said switch operating members, a plate member rigidly attached to said push-button member and reciprocable upon operative reciprocation of said push-button member to operatively move at least one of said switch operating members, and means on said tubular selector member engaging means on said push-button member to prevent operative reciprocation of said push-button member except when said selector member is in one or more predetermined positions.

4. A switch actuating unit for operatively moving a plurality of reciprocable switch operating members, said switch actuating unit comprising, in combination, a rotatable selector structure comprising a tubular member, a cam member rigidly attached to said tubular member and rotatable upon operative rotation of said selector struc ture to operatively move at least one of said switch operating members, a rectilinearly reciprocable push-button structure comprising a shaft member disposed primarily within said tubular member and a push-button plate rigidly attached to said shaft member, upon rectilinear reciprocation of said push-button structure said shaft member reciprocating to operate at least one of said switch operating members, and projection-and-slot means on said pushbutton structure and selector structure operating to prevent reciprocation of said push-button structure except when said selector structure is in one or more predetermined operating positions.

5. In a switch actuating unit for operatively moving a plurality of switch operating members, a support member,

a selector structure rotatably supported by said support member and comprising a tubular member and a cam member rigidly attached to said tubular member, said cam member engaging and operatively moving at least one of said operating members upon rotation of said selector structure, a push-button structure supported by said sup port member for rectilinear reciprocal movement and comprising a shaft member disposed primarily within said tubular member and a plate member attached to said shaft member, upon reciprocation of said push-button structure said plate member engaging and operatively moving at least one of said operating members, said cam member having an opening therein, said plate member having an opening therein, a projection extending from said support mem her and extending through both of said openings, said projection engaging said plate member to prevent rotation of said push-button structure, said opening in said cam member being large enough to permit rotation of said cam member relative to said projection to thereby permit operative rotation of said selector structure, and means preventing reciprocation of saidpush-button structure except'when said selector structure is in one or more predetermined operating positions.

6 A control switch comprising, in combination, a plurality of stationary contact structures, a movable contact structure for each of said stationary contact structures and movableinto and out of engagement with the associated stationary contact structure, an operating member for each of said movablecontact structures and being reciprocable to operatively move the associated movable contact structure, a switch actuating unit comprisinga rotatable selector member, cam means rotatable upon operative rotation of said selector member to operatively move at least one of said operating members, a rectilinearly reciprocable push-button member, means operable upon operative movement of said push-button member to operatively move at least one of said operating members, and means preventing operative movement of said push-button mem ber except when said s'elector member is in one or more predetermined positions.

7. A control switch comprising, in combination, a plurality of stationarycontact structures, a movable contact structure for each of said stationary contact structures and being movable into and out of engagement with the associated stationary contact structure, an operating member for each of said movable contact structures and being reciprocable to operatively move the associated movable contact structure, a switch actuating unit comprisinga rotatable selector structure comprising a tubular member and a cam member rigidly attached to said tubular member, upon operative rotation of said selector structure said cam member rotating to operatively move at least one of said switch operating members, a reciprocable push-but= ton structure comprising a shaft member disposed primarily within said tubular member, a push-button plate rigidly attached to said shaft member and reciprocable with said shaft member to operate at least one of said opcrating members, and projection-and-slot means on said push-button structure and selector structure operating to prevent reciprocation of said push-button structure except when said selector structure is in one or more predetermined positions.

8. A control switch comprising, in combination, a plurality of stationary contact structures, a movable contact structure for each of said stationary contact structures, each of said movable contact structures being movable into and out of engagement with the associated stationary contact structure, an operating member for each of said movable contact structures, each of said operating members being reciprocable to operatively move the associated movable contact structure, a switch actuating unit comprising a support member, a selector structure rotatably supported by said support member, said selector structure comprising a tubular member and a cam member rigidly attached to said tubular member, said cam member engaging and operatively moving at least one of said operating members upon rotation of said selector structure, a push-button structure supported'for rectilinear reciprocal operative movement on said support member, said push-button structure comprising a shaft member disposed primarily within said tubular member and a plate member attached to said shaft member, said plate member engaging and operatively moving at least one of said operating members upon operative movement of said push-button structure, said cam'member having an opening therein, said plate member having an opening therein, a projection extending from said support member and through both of said openings, said projection engaging said plate member to prevent rotation of said push-button structure, said opening in said cam member being large enough to permit operative rotation of said selector structure, said push-button structure having a projection thereon, said selector structure having "one or more slots therein, and said push-button structure being operatively movable only when said projection is in alignment with one of said slots during which operative movement said projection moves within the aligned slot.

References (Ilted in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,357,971 Robbins Sept. 12, 1944 2,722,573 Frank Nov. 1, 1955 2,908,776 Nolden et a1 Oct. 13, 1959 

1. IN A SWITCH ACTUATING UNIT FOR OPERATING A PLURALITY OF RECIPROCABLE SWITCH OPERATING MEMBERS, A ROTATABLE SELECTOR STRUCTURE, MEANS OPERATING UPON ROTATION OF SAID SELECTOR STRUCTURE TO OPERATIVELY MOVE AT LEAST ONE OF SAID OPERATING MEMBERS, A RECTILINEARLY RECIPROCABLE PUSH-BUTTON STRUCTURE, MEANS OPERATING UPON OPERTIVE RECTILINEAR MOVEMENT OF SAID PUSH-BUTTON STRUCTURE TO OPERATIVELY MOVEMENT AT LEAST ONE OF SAID OPERATING MEMBERS, AND MEANS PERVENTING OPERATIVE RECTILINEAR MOVEMENT OF SAID PUSHBUTTON STRUCTURE EXCEPT WHEN SAID SELECTOR STRUCTURE IS IN ONE OR MORE PREDETERMINED POSITIONS. 